Fr Russell Pollitt SJ
Fr Russell Pollitt, S.J. (born in Pretoria 1975; entered the Jesuits in 2001; ordained 2006) is the Director of the Jesuit Institute. He holds a BA with majors in Sociology and Socio-Cultural Anthropology, and a Masters Degree in Theology. He has experience with various media outlets, having often commented on radio (Talk Radio 702, 567 Cape Talk, SAFM, Jacaranda, Radio Veritas and Vatican Radio); written for various newspapers (Daily Maverick, The Natal Witness, The Southern Cross and America); and appeared on television (SABC TV and the eNCA News Channel). He has previously been National Chaplain to Catholic Engaged Encounter and served on the advisory board of the Social Communications Department, as well as serving on various other sections of the SACBC. He was also Parish Priest of the Jesuit-run Holy Trinity Church in Braamfontein, Johannesburg for seven years. During that time he established a number of outreach ministries to people on the margins. He has directed retreats in South Africa and in California. Fr Russell is interested in the impact that communications technology has on society and spirituality. He also thinks about South African Politics and various issues in the Catholic Church. Email Russell

Ursula van Nierop
Ursula van Nierop was born in Germiston. After completing her schooling at the St Thomas Aquinas Convent in Witbank, she obtained a B.Nursing (cum laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1990. She went on to work as a midwife at the Johannesburg Hospital. In 1999, Ursula started working for the Society of Jesus as secretary to the Regional Superior. In 2005, she was appointed as the Finance Officer for the Society of Jesus in South Africa. She moved to the Jesuit Institute as the Deputy Director in 2016. Here she is involved in the day to day management of the Institute office and various projects. Ursula believes that it is the role of all to make a difference in our society, especially to those on the margins. Ursula is married to Martin and they have five children. Email Ursula

Margaret Backwell
Margaret has been married to Mike for 45 years, has 3 grown-up children, 3 granddaughters and worked in various clerical, administration and finance roles since she started her working career in 1971. Her association with the Society of Jesus started in the early 1990’s as parish secretary at Holy Trinity for about 8 years, worked for JRS and has now been with the Jesuit Institute for 5 years working as the Administrator for the Spirituality team. Loves to keep active by jogging, visiting the gym and hobbies include reading and doing various types of needlework or crafts. Email Margaret

Fr Matthew Charlesworth SJ
Fr Matthew Charlesworth, S.J. (born in Cambridge 1979; entered the Jesuits 2005; ordained 2016) interned at the Jesuit Institute in 2007 and later re-joined in a full-time capacity in 2018. After completing his schooling at St Stithians College in Johannesburg, he went on to study Information Systems and Management and earned a masters degree from Rhodes University, later undertaking further masters degrees as part of his Jesuit formation, in Philosophy and Theology from the Universities of London and Toronto and earning the Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Regis College. His formation has taken him to Canada, France, Ireland, Kenya, Spain, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, the United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. He currently works with the the Spirituality Team at the Jesuit Institute and is responsible for some of the technical aspects for both the Institute and Spotlight.Africa. Prior to re-joining the Institute, Fr Matthew was the Assistant Parish Priest and Assistant Chaplain at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein. Email Matthew

Ricardo da Silva SJRicardo da Silva (born in Coimbra, Portugal 1983; entered the Jesuits 2007) immigrated to Johannesburg, South Africa with his mother at the age of six. He had a career in marketing, communications and brand management before joining the Jesuits in 2007 and has studied communications (SA), philosophy (UK) and theology (Brazil). He is passionate about liturgical music, communications, and ethics and takes delight in good company and food. He has ministered to a wide range of people in many different contexts, from the elderly to high school and university students, refugees, migrants and the homeless. Email Ricardo

Fr Anthony Egan SJ
Fr Anthony Egan, S.J. (born in Cape Town 1966; entered the Jesuits 1990; ordained 2002) joined the Jesuit Institute in 2007. Educated at the universities of Cape Town, London, Witwatersrand and at Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge Massachusetts (now part of Boston College), he is a historian, political analyst and theologian. He has taught, full-time or part-time, at St Augustine College of South Africa, St John Vianney Seminary, Fordham University (on sabbatical) and the University of the Witwatersrand, where he currently teaches at the Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics. The author/co-author of a number of books, book chapters, academic and popular articles, he is a correspondent for America magazine, a contributor to Worldwide and writes for Spotlight. He is also a commentator on local and international radio and television. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Helen Suzman Foundation. Extramural interests include Science Fiction, Theatre, Art and creative writing, including poetry. Email Anthony

Sr Katleho Khang, SNJMKatleho Khang, is a member of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. She graduated from University of Lesotho with a Diploma in Mass Communication in 2009, double major B.A. in Theatre & Film and Conflict Resolution Studies, from University of Winnipeg, Canada in 2014, and trained in Coaching and Mediation Skills at Menno Simmons College, Winnipeg, Canada. Sr. Katleho completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Media Management at Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Leadership at Rhodes University in 2015, and currently training in Spiritual Direction at the Jesuit School of Spirituality in South Africa. Katleho has a passion for social justice and women issues. She attended summits at the United Nations, New York City, on Sustainable Development 13 in 2004, and on Women Status in 2017. She worked in the NGO sector and served on SNJM Justice and Peace Network as Liaison officer. She also worked for the Lesotho Catholic Bishops’ Conference as a Communication officer. In her spare time, Sr. Katleho enjoys reading, watching documentaries and photography. Email Katleho

Puleng MatsanengPuleng Matsaneng was born in Johannesburg and grew up in Soweto. She attended school at Mohaladitoe Senior School. Puleng then completed her BA degree at the University of Johannesburg. After being introduced to Ignatian Spirituality at a week of guided prayer offered at her parish in 2002, Puleng joined the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality team, which is now part of the Jesuit Institute of South Africa.

Puleng works in Spirituality and researches Ignatian Spirituality in an African context.Her area of speciality is in exploring how African themes and practices of spirituality dialogue with the Western traditions, and how that is understood in relation to Ignatian Spirituality. She has looked at how Ignatian Spirituality can be integrated into the African worldview. Most especially, how the use of song and storytelling can be part of the prayer process.

She is currently managing retreats in daily life and training prayer guides. Puleng is also involved in ongoing Spiritual Direction, giving 8-day and 30-day retreats. Here latest venture is a pilot programme of healing workshops that use the principles of Ignatian Spirituality.

Puleng has wide experience both at home and internationally. In 2005 she completed a course in Apostolic Spirituality at St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre in Wales. In 2006 she was part of the delegation attending a meeting in Rome to look at the Spiritual Exercises throughout the world. In 2010 she went to Kenya for a meeting on giving the Spiritual Exercises in Africa. In 2011 she went to Democratic Republic of Congo to share her article on Spiritual Direction in African Context that was published in The Way. In 2012 she was part of the organising team and a speaker at the International conference on Spiritual Direction in the African context. Email Puleng

Dr Annemarie Paulin-CampbellDr Annemarie Paulin-Campbell [MEd (Wits); MA Christian Spirituality (London); PhD (UKZN)] has worked in the area of Ignatian Spirituality for 19 years and heads up the work of the Jesuit Institute School of Spirituality. Her primary focus is the training and supervision of spiritual directors and the giving of retreats. She is also a registered Psychologist and her PhD focused on the interface between Christian Spirituality and Psychology.
Annemarie is an editorial advisor to “The Way” journal of Spirituality and has authored a number of articles relating to the training of Spiritual Directors in an African context. She has contributed to several books, most recently co-authoring a book of Lenten Reflections: “Long Journey to the Resurrection”. She has contributed to international conferences and consultations in Spirituality in the United Kingdom; the United States; Rome; Spain, Ethiopia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Email Annemarie

Francis TusonFrancis John Tuson grew up in Johannesburg and was exposed to Ignatian themes from a young age through his family’s involvement with Christian Life Communities (CLC). He attended De La Salle Holy Cross College for his initial schooling and then was home schooled before returning to De La Salle for his matric year. After trying both Music and Law at the University of the Witwatersrand, he studied Post-Production sound engineering at the Academy of Sound Engineering. Before joining the Jesuit Institute, Francis worked variously, as a dubbing engineer, a sound designer, and a final mix engineer – working on a variety of projects, with a many different languages from around the world including; Mandarin, Kiswahili, Portuguese, Hindi, Hausa, French and Zulu. Francis is working on as much of the Jesuit Institute’s media as possible, attempting to drag the Jesuit institute, and ultimately the Catholic Church into the 21st century. In his free time, Francis enjoys extreme sports,hiking, and playing music. Email Francis.

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A Jesuit Institute documentary film on forced migration in South Africa

The Jesuit Institute South Africa presents a new documentary film which tells stories of forced migrants and stateless persons living in South Africa. More >>

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